Voh, NC 🇳🇨 Closed Airport
NC-0008
-
33 ft
NC-02
Loading...
Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: -20.966999° N, 164.699997° E
Continent: OC
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: NWWF
Loading weather data...
The exact date is not officially documented, but the airport was likely closed between the late 1970s and early 1990s. It was operational in the 1960s but was rendered obsolete by infrastructural developments in the following decades.
The closure was primarily due to economic reasons and infrastructural obsolescence. The airport was a simple, unpaved airstrip suitable only for small, early-generation propeller aircraft. Its closure was driven by two main factors:
1. **Airline Fleet Modernization:** The national domestic carrier, Air Calédonie, upgraded its fleet to larger, more modern aircraft (like the ATR series) that required longer, paved runways and better facilities.
2. **Development of a Regional Hub:** The nearby Koné Airport (IATA: KNQ, ICAO: NWWK), located approximately 25 km to the south, was developed into a modern, fully-equipped airport. Koné became the primary aviation hub for the entire Voh-Koné-Pouembout (VKP) region, making the small Voh airstrip redundant.
The site of the former Voh Airport is now a disused, open field. Satellite imagery clearly shows the faint but unmistakable outline of the former runway, which is now overgrown with grass and low vegetation. There are no remaining airport buildings, hangars, or other infrastructure on the site. The land appears to be fallow and is not actively used for any specific purpose, although occasional vehicle tracks are visible, suggesting some local access.
Voh Airport was a regional 'bush' airstrip that played a vital role in connecting the remote community of Voh with the capital, Nouméa, and other settlements in the mid-20th century. Likely established in the 1950s or early 1960s, it was an important stop for Air Calédonie (and its predecessor, Transpac). The airline operated small STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, such as the de Havilland Dragon Rapide and later the DHC-6 Twin Otter, from the grass/dirt strip. In an era before the road network was fully developed, the airport was a crucial link for transporting passengers, mail, medical supplies, and light cargo, contributing significantly to the economic and social life of the Voh community.
There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Voh Airport. The aviation needs of the region are comprehensively served by the modern and well-maintained Koné Airport (KNQ), which offers regular scheduled flights and superior facilities. Given the significant investment in Koné Airport and its close proximity to Voh, there is no economic or logistical justification to recommission the old, rudimentary airstrip.
(at least in last 50 years)